2of 5Mayor Ron Nirenberg addresses the media during a press conference to raise awareness of human trafficking on the steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. Nirenberg was quick to show support for San Antonio Police Chief William McManus (left) who has become embroiled in an investigation concerning the release of immigrants in a human smuggling case which occurred on December 23. District 6 Councilman Greg Brockhouse sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney General's Office to investigate the handling of human smuggling incident by San Antonio Police. McManus has maintained that the department and his officers abided by proper procedure and had no jurisdiction to hold the immigrants which were released to the Refugee and Immigration Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) and Catholic Charities. (Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News)Photo: Kin Man Hui, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

3of 5San Antonio Police Chief William McManus chats with individuals attending a press conference to raise awareness of human trafficking on the steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. Mayor Ron Nirenberg was quick to show support for McManus who has become embroiled in an investigation concerning the release of immigrants in a human smuggling case which occurred on December 23. District 6 Councilman Greg Brockhouse sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney General's Office to investigate the handling of human smuggling incident by San Antonio Police. McManus has maintained that the department and his officers abided by proper procedure and had no jurisdiction to hold the immigrants which were released to the Refugee and Immigration Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) and Catholic Charities. (Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News)Photo: Kin Man Hui, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

4of 5Mayor Ron Nirenberg addresses the media during a press conference to raise awareness of human trafficking on the steps of City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. Nirenberg was quick to show support for San Antonio Police Chief William McManus (left) who has become embroiled in an investigation concerning the release of immigrants in a human smuggling case which occurred on December 23. District 6 Councilman Greg Brockhouse sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney General's Office to investigate the handling of human smuggling incident by San Antonio Police. McManus has maintained that the department and his officers abided by proper procedure and had no jurisdiction to hold the immigrants which were released to the Refugee and Immigration Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) and Catholic Charities. (Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News)Photo: Kin Man Hui, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

The San Antonio Police Department updated its communications protocol with regard to handling cases of undocumented immigrants following Police Chief William McManus coming under fire after officers released 12 people found in the back of a tractor-trailer in December.

The policy was obtained by the San Antonio Express-News Tuesday, shortly after San Antonio Police Officers Association President Mike Helle penned a letter demanding McManus be placed on administrative leave while the attorney general's office investigates complaints that the chief violated Texas' anti-sanctuary cities law.

Specifically, it deals with communication and coordination among agencies that deal with cases of human smuggling.

The December case received national attention, with many criticizing McManus for not turning the case over the federal authorities. McManus said his department didn't have jurisdiction to hold the migrants and Homeland Security agents had access and were not prevented from taking anyone into custody.

The letter detailing the procedures was written by City Attorney Andy Segovia and sent to Austin on April 20, 2018.

It says McManus met with U.S. Attorney John Bash and Shane Folden, the Director for Homeland Security Investigations, on Jan. 4 "to ensure expectations all around are met."

"We hope this effort is further demonstration that the city does not have a 'policy' to restrict cooperation with federal law enforcement," Segovia wrote.

Segovia's letter also takes a shot at the union, saying "Finally, we wanted to make you aware that the San Antonio Police Officers Association has started a public email campaign to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton concerning your investigation (see attached Facebook post). The City of San Antonio is not involved with and does not support such a campaign."

According to the policy, if a responding officer comes across a potential human smuggling case, they are supposed to notify the chain of command and relay the details of the case.

An on-duty San Antonio Homeland Security agent would also be notified by a follow-up unit with details of the investigation.

The federal agent would pursue potential criminal violations and coordinate with ICE for any administrative action.

"Unless (Homeland Security Investigations) clearly state that they will lead the investigation, SAPD personnel will conduct the investigation under SAPD procedures for filing with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office," the policy says.

The Office of the Chief would also be notified, and the office would pass along the notification to the city's immigration liaison and social service groups like Catholic Charities and RAICES.

"These agencies can provide necessary translation services (and) ... can also assist in providing aid and comfort to undocumented persons who are not arrested," the policy says.

In response to Helle's most recent letter about McManus, Mayor Ron Nirenberg issued a scolding statement Tuesday, telling Helle "to get back to work."

"This stunt is nothing more than political theater," Nirenberg said in a statement. "It is a blatant mischaracterization of the facts to suggest that the police chief is under criminal investigation. This is another in a series of Helle-orchestrated cheap-shot attacks on Chief McManus, his fellow officers and city management."

The police union's letter alleged that McManus is "saying the rules don't apply to him," because he hasn't been placed on administrative leave, which is required by officers who are arrested, accused, or under investigation for criminal activity.

City Manager Sheryl Sculley issued also pushed back on Helle's claims.

"Calling for the Chief's leave almost six months after the event is a tired attempt to keep a false narrative going," Sculley said. "The Chief broke no rules, policy, or laws on December 23rd. Saying the Chief is under criminal investigation is inaccurate and unfair. Clearly the union has an agenda they are trying to further."

In a letter to the police officers association sent in May, an official from the attorney general's office said that the city has been cooperative with the investigation and has preserved all documents relevant to the investigation.

Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSA

Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County. He previously worked at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, where he covered crime and focused on the synthetic marijuana epidemic plaguing South Texas. Although he works in San Antonio, he is an unashamed fan of the Los Angeles Lakers.